1 Kings 11:32

Verse

But one tribe will remain for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel.

American Standard Version (1901)

(but he shall have one tribe, for my servant David’s sake and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel);

Bible in Basic English

(But one tribe will be his, because of my servant David, and because of Jerusalem, the town which, out of all the tribes of Israel, I have made mine,)

Free Bible Version

One tribe will be left for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city I chose from among all the tribes of Israel.

Geneva Bible 1599

But he shall haue one tribe for my seruant Dauids sake, and for Ierusalem the citie, which I haue chosen out of all the tribes of Israel,

King James (Authorized) Version

(But he shall have one tribe for my servant David’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)

Translation for Translators

Solomon’s descendants will still rule one tribe (OR, two tribes), because of what I promised David, a man who served me very well, and because of Jerusalem, the city that I have chosen from all the cities in Israel to be the city where my people will worship me.

Unlocked Literal Bible

(but Solomon will have one tribe, for my servant David's sake and for Jerusalem's sake—the city that I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel),

Noah Webster Bible

(But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)

World English Bible

(but he shall have one tribe, for my servant David’s sake and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel),

Young's Literal Translation

and the one tribe he hath for My servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have fixed on, out of all the tribes of Israel.

Context

Jeroboam’s Rebellion

³¹and said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and I will give you ten tribes.³²But one tribe will remain for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel.

Summary

In this verse, God speaks to Jeroboam through the prophet Ahijah, informing him that He will tear the kingdom of Israel away from Solomon's descendants and give ten tribes to Jeroboam. This division of the kingdom is a consequence of Solomon's idolatry and disobedience to God's commands. God's promise to Jeroboam serves as a fulfillment of the prophecy given earlier and demonstrates His sovereignty over the affairs of nations. The verse highlights the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God's word, as well as the consequences of straying from His ways.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Howbeit, I will not take the kingdom out of his hand,.... Not any part of it, Kg1 11:12, but I will make him prince all the days of his life; that is, he shall continue to hold the government of all the tribes so long as he lives: for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes; see Kg1 11:12, or was well pleased with, as the Targum; for keeping the commands of God from right principles, and with right views, is well pleasing to him.